ODBST hosts first annual Eco Conference for children
The Oxford Diocesan Bucks Schools Trust were thrilled to host their first annual ECO Conference this week. Children from schools across the county were welcomed to present the projects that had been taking place in their schools and help drive ODBSTs quest for sustainability. Throughout the academic year the children across ODBST have been running initiatives and projects to see if they can improve the sustainability of their schools and the Trust. This culminated on Thursday with the Oxford Diocesan Bucks Schools Trusts first annual ECO Conference. Three children from each Trust school, were invited to present their projects and findings and then contribute to the ODBST ECO charter that all schools will be following next academic year.
The day started with the representatives from each school giving engaging presentations about the various projects that they had been working on. Some schools focused on reducing their food waste from school dinners, they weighed and compared the waste, finding that there was most on a Wednesday they will now be petitioning their school meal providers to change the options on this day. Other schools focused on the biodiversity of their local ecosystems, creating new gardens and bug hotels. Harriet said ‘I enjoyed listening to the presentations. I particularly liked hearing 'Let the Bees Be' I learnt lots of things about bees that I didn't know.'
The mornings session closed with pupils from the Trusts 11 schools agreeing on 10 pledges that will help drive the Trust in their quest for sustainability. They will be presenting these to their own schools and continuing with their various projects.
Spirits not dampened by the rain, in the afternoon the children made natural bird feeders to take back to their schools and encourage a wider variety of wildlife into their schools. Matthew said: 'Making the bird feeders was great. Mixing the lard and seeds was great fun. I hope birds will enjoy feeding on the feeders back home.'